Applicator for thermal vapor treatment of individual parts of the human body



Dec. 9, 1941. w E H 2,265,484

APPLICATOR FORTHE MAL- VAPOR TREATMENT OF I INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF'THE HUMAN BODY I Filed Aug. 5., 1959 ATTK Patented Dec. 9, 1941 APPLICATOR FOR THERMAL VAPOR TREAT- MENT F INDIVIDUAL PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY William E. Hillebrand, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Vapor-Therm Process Company,

Louisville,

Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application August '5, 1939, Serial No. 288,652

1 Claim.

My invention relates to thermal vapor treatments indicated for alleviating the results of sprains, contusions, abrasions and other inflammations and swellings or pains in various parts of the human body. And the objects of my invention are to devise a convenient and economical method of quickly producing steam and delivering it directly into different types of applicators, provided with recording thermostats. Another object of my invention is to provide suitable baflling shields in the applicators to distribute and temper the incoming flow of steam in the applicator before it comes in contact with the flesh of the patient. Another object of my invention is to provide applicators of various sizes and shapes adapted to fit efliciently for treating various parts of the human body with my thermal vapor treatments. Other objects of my invention will be disclosed in the progress of this specification.

The foregoing objects have all been attained in my present invention; and my new and useful thermal vapor treatments with applicators for various parts of the human body, illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, is a practical invention embodying the aforesaid novel means and other new and useful details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts, all of which together with their functions will be described in detail with due reference to said drawing, and will be definitely pointed out in the claims that follow this description, so that any person skilled in the art may be able to construct and use this invention.

In said drawing- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one type of my applicators, represented as resting on a tabletop. In this View is shown the curved nozzle for the inflow of steam.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of an electric heating device and one form of my steam-producing boilers, showing a fragment of the steam conveying conduit pushed on over the neck of the boiler.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of another type of my steam-producing boilers provided with an integral electric heater. In this Fig. 3 is, also, a fragmentary end elevational view of the applicator shown in Fig. 1; a part of the end being broken away to show the position of the baffiing shield along the inside of the applicator adjacent the nozzle where the inflowing steam enters the applicator from the boiler on which the applicator is mounted.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the inside of another form of my portable applicators which I find very convenient for use in my thermal vapor treatments. In this view is shown part of the steam nozzle and an end view of the baffling shield installed in the applicator adjacent the steam nozzle.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the. applicator shown in Fig. 4, partially cut away to show the relative position of the bafiling shield installed therein adjacentthe steam nozzle.

This invention has been designed and practi-, cally developed in its details of construction for the desirable purpose of producing at a comparatively low cost an efficient equipment for my thermal vapor treatment for alleviating the results of sprains, congestions or inflammatory conditions in various parts of the human body. And with said purpose and the special objects aforesaid in view, I will now describe my invention in detail, and point out the new and useful features of the construction and arrangement of the individual parts and the combinations of my equipment, as illustrated in the drawings hereinabove described, in which similar letters and characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the invention and development of my new thermal vapor treatment and the equipment thereof, I have thoroughly tested out every detail of the invention in a complete assemblage of the parts involved in a complete working model thereof; and I have found in their functions not only successful results in the easy production of the required steam, but an eificient adaptability in the application of my thermal vapor treatment to said effected parts of the human body.

In the design and construction of my new steam-producing equipment for my thermal vapor treatment, I have provided a large glass vessel I adapted to be mounted upright upon an electric heater 2 mounted on legs, 2b, 2b, and. provided with an electric supply wire 2a adapted, by means of the coupling 20, to be joined to the supply wire 2a shown in Fig. 1 above. vessel l is provided with a small smooth neck Ia designed to receive the end of a rubber steam conduit 4 that may be pushed on tightly thereover as shown in Fig. 2 in which the glass vessel is represented as being nearly half-filled with water up to the broken line lb.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a form 5 of one of my applicators resting on its feet, 5h, 5h, on a tabletop 6. This form 5 of my applicators, is adapted for. thermal vapor treatment of the patients hands or arms; and may be made in various sizes The glass for the thermal vapor treatment of the feet and legs of the patient. The sleeves, 5a, 50, may be relatively larger, if desired; and the rubber cap 51) fitting tightly over the end of the sleeve 5a is designed to prevent the escape of steam therefrom, while the sleeve 50 is being used by the patient. The. curved nozzle 5d in Fig. l and the straight nozzle 5d shown in Fig. 3, are designed for the admission of heated vapor from the steam-producing boilers I and l transmitted through the rubber steam-conduit 4. a frag ment all of which is shown inFig; 1 pushed on over the curved nozzle 501.

In this Fig. 1, the part 5 shown in aside elevational view is the same applicator as. the. part 5 shown in an end elevational view in Fig. 3; and this applicator 5 is provided with a baflie plate like the part 5n shown in Fig. 3; and-it is, also, pro-- vided on its upper back side with a graduated thermostat like the part 5m shown in Fig. 3, for H the purpose of cutting the supply currentonits way' to. the heater 2', when the temperature; of the vapor therein reaches a certain degree; for these. graduated thermostats have supply-current wiresfrunning therethrough and thermal switches therein operative by changes of temperature.

In Fig.3 I have shown another form I" of my steam-producing boilers, which I have found very eflicient for service inmy thermal vapor treatment. provided with an integral electric heater 2' resting on the legs, 2b, 2b. This boiler I has a. water gauge lb and a straight steam-vent nozzle Ia. This type of steam-producing boiler maybe provided with a removable cover or it may be covered with the applicator-form 5, as shown in Fig. 3. This type of boiler, provided withv thermostat control, may be used, also, for a hot immersion treatment of parts of the patients limbs, with plain or chemically prepared water.

This applicator 5- is provided with a graduated thermostat 5m installed on its outer side, midway between the ends thereof; and the wire Za'from the source of the current passes through the thermostat on its way to the electric heater, so. that the current may be shut off before the steam in the applicator becomes too hot for the patient. All forms of my thermal vapor applicators are provided with graduated thermostats operating on the same principle, and for the same purpose, see Fig. 5. i

In Fig. 3, where the end view of applicator 5 is partially broken away, may be seen the relative position of the baffling shield 511 which is anchored in the flooring adjacent'the nozzle 56 and extends nearly the length of the applicator. In this Fig. 3, also, we should'notice the forward inclination of the auxiliary flooring 5p in the applicator 5. This inclination is. for

the purpose of draining the water from condensed steam, back into the boiler. The steam from the'boiler l' is conveyed into the applicator 5 through the nozzle la, the steameconduit 4 and the straight nozzle 5d.. 'And the stream of inflowing steam strikes against the bafiiing shield "57!. and passes. upward over the top; thereof dissipated and tempered as it comes. in contact with the patients hand and arm resting for thermal vapor treatment, in the applicator 5. V n

In'Figs. 4 and 5, may be seen another form 3 at new applicators. This form 3' is small and 'l-ight in weight and may be made of rubber or other suitable material. And it is provided In this form I have the boiler I 0 LIL with a service nozzle 3a for the attachment of one end of a steam-conduit from either type of steam-producing boiler, I or I. This form 3 has a broad bafiiing shield 3b adjacent the nozzle thereof to dissipate and temper the stream of inflowing steam, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. And form 3 has a graduated thermostat 3m with its electric wires, 30., 3a, running between the source of the current and the heater 2 or 2 for controlling the temperature of the steam therein, installed on the side of this applicator, as shown in Fig. 5. This type of small, portable applicator having a plane open bottom, is adapted. to be conveniently used in various places on the body of the. patient, where the curvature is 7 not too sharp and the area of the aifected part is not extensive, as in the case of a boil or a carbuncle. And this applicator 3 is provided with attachment straps, 3d, 3d, designed to fasten the applicator securely to any part of the patients body for temporary treatment by the thermal vapor treatment.

The integral perforated flap 30 on the top of the applicator 3 is designed for convenience in handling the applicator in service or hanging it when idle.

' In the full equipment of my thermal vapor treatment other applicators would be needed, made of different sizes and shapes, especially adapted for the vapo-thermal treatment of different afflictions in various parts of the human body. But all of these applicators, like, those hereinabove described, would be equipped with the steam-nozzle, the baiiiing shield, and the thermostat for automatically controlling the temperature of the steam therein.

Now, as a practical illustration of the method of using my thermal vapor treatment with my applicators, we may suppose a patient is aiiiicted with a painful boil on the back of his neck and comes to the hospital for relief. This patient would be directed to a comfortable seat, and the applicator 3, with one end of the rubber steamconduit 4 attached to its steam-nozzle 30,, would be lightly clasped around his neck with the bands, 3d, 311, while the other end of the conduit 4 would be attached to the neck ta of the boiler] or to the nozzle Ia of the boiler l. The warm. steam from the boiler would soonfill the applicator 3 and begin to reduce the pain in the inflamed area. And this thermal vapor treatment. would be continued for many minutes until the vascular circulation through the affected area had been improved enough to reduce the pain therein almost completely. And, after the patient had rested for a while, asecond similar treatment of the affected. part. might bring about a complete relief of the. pain therein.

Butin the use of the applicator. in general practice, we may suppose. the patient. is aifiicted with a painful wrist-joint from. a sprain or. other cause, and has. come in for relief. We. give the patient a comfortable seat by the table on which rests the applicator 5. which we then connectup to. the boiler. I; by mean of the. rubber steamconduit 4'. And shortly after we turn. theelectric current into thewire 2a, fragments of Which are shown in Fig. 2', thewarm steam begins flowing through'neck la of the .glass. boiler 1, through the steam conduit 4." and the. curved nozzle 5d into the applicator 5 and against the baffling shield'5n and over the topthereof dissipated and tempered thereby.

We now have the patientpush lhis hand'and arm through the sleeve 50 into the applicator 5 far enough to rest his afflicted wrist-joint about midway between the ends thereof.

In a few minutes the tempered steam surrounding the wrist and arm will be comfortably hot; and this palliative treatment will begin to stimulate deeply the blood and lymph circulation throughout the affected area, and relaxation of the abnormally congested condition around the wrist-joint will gradually intervene under the mollifying influence of the moist heat of this thermal vapor treatment; and the overstrained nerves permeating the affected area will soon feel a normal sensation of relief; and the pain therein will gradually disappear. The thermostat 5m mounted on the backside of the applicator 5 and connected in the heater-circuit 2a through the coupling 20, controls the temperature of the steam in the applicator, so that the exposed arm and hand of the patient will never become uncomfortably over-heated therein; and the prolonged thermal vapor treatment will eventually bring about a feeling of comfort and relief. But, it is true, however, in congestions of long-standing a second or a third thermal vapor treatment, as an anodyne treatment, may be indicated.

Thus, in cases of sprains, congestion, nerveirritations or other inflamatory conditions, my vapo-therm process has been found very efficacious in stimulating cutaneous and deeper reflexes, effectively reviving the vascular circulation of congested areas and replacing the old-time poultices and mustard-drafts in reducing congestion and inflamatory conditions, through the continued application of gentle moist heat for relieving the muscular aches and pains in various parts of the human body.

But, as I have previously explained, in the full equipment of my thermal vapor treatment other applicators than those herein shown would be needed, made of different sizes and shapes and especially adapted for my thermal vapor treatment in the treatment of different afflictions in various parts of the body; but all of these, like the applicators herein shown, should be made in accordance with the common features of my instant invention, equipped with steam-nozzles, the baffling shield and the thermostat for automatically controlling the temperature of the steam in them. And it should be understood that the specific detail of the various parts of the present embodiment of my invention, as I have illustrated in the drawing thereof and fully described, are not to be considered as limitations in the construction of the equipment of my vapo-therm process, and that I may mak desirable modifications in these details, to facilitate production or to economize in the fabrication thereof, provided I keep within the scope of my invention and claim.

Now having thus described the various features of my invention, the detail construction, arrangement and combination of its parts, as Well as its functions and the ways and means of operation and application; those features and accessories of my thermal vapor treatments with applicators for various parts of the human body, that I consider new and useful, on which I desire Letters Patent granted to me, I have hereinbelow set forth and specifically described in the following claim.

I claim:

In an apparatus designed for the thermal vapor treatment of inflammatory conditions in various parts of the human body, as described, means for generating the thermal vapor, consisting of an electric heater and a boiler partially filled with water, in combination with a long hollow applicator of semi-cylindrical shape, having short cylindrical sleeves fixed in the opposite parallel ends thereof, and designed for a patient to rest his limbs thereon while receiving thermal vapor treatment in said applicator; a steam-nozzle installed in the front side of the applicator for the entrance therein of steam from the boiler; a baflling shield along the front inside of said applicator, adjacent the steam-nozzle thereof, designed for dissipating and tempering the stream of infiowing thermal vapor from the boiler; means for conveying the vapor from the boiler to said steam-nozzle; and a graduated thermostat provided with a thermal switch and installed in the upper back side of said applicator, the thermostat being set in the electric circuit from the source of current-supply to said electric heater, and adapted for automatically controlling the temperature of the steam in the applicator, while in service, by the opening and closing of the thermal switch therein.

WILLIAM E. HILLEBRAND. 

